Tag Archives: Blind Inspirational author

Does God love us when we’re bad? Five ways to know. | Janet Perez Eckles

20 Feb

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

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I blew kisses and waved good-bye at my two grandkids. They waved back from the back seat. “Remember,” I called out, “no more, no less.”

In her high-pitched voice, my eight-year-old granddaughter called back, “No more, no less, Nana.”

That’s our secret code. It began one night as I wrapped a fluffy towel around her after her bath. I cupped her soft face in my hands and looked into her blue eyes… “Always remember, princess, that there is nothing you can do to make me love you more. And there’s nothing you could ever do to make me love you less.”

Ever since then, that was our code each time we part: “no more, no less.”

I learned that from Romans 8:39; “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

He (God) loves us no matter what:

  1. When we fall. When we make errors, mistakes and ruin what we thought would be a good thing.
  2. When we fail in our attempt to do something good, worthwhile or important.
  3. When we frown at the sadness of life. And when that sadness turns to tears of sorrow, anger or confusion.
  4. When we forget. When we forget the power of His love, the length of His compassion and the sincerity of His promises.
  5. When we feign. When we try to fool others by putting a smile on the outside yet, inside we are falling apart.

He still loves us. He still calls us. And He still looks for us to receive that immense love.

Source: Does God love us when we’re bad? Five ways to know. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Five promises to erase loneliness

6 Feb

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

 

I zipped my suitcase shut. And my 4’10”, white-haired Mom walked in. “I worry about you traveling alone,” she said. “Someone will be staying with you in the hotel, right?”

I imagine having her blind daughter travel to another country by herself concerns her.

“Sure,” I reassure her to erase worry because after all, traveling to speaking engagements is one of the passions I have.

Although I’ll have no human accompany me, I’ll have someone better—the Holy Spirit.

Think I’m kidding? God’s way to make sure we’re never alone and know how to conquer loneliness is true.

How else can I, being blind, navigate through hotel rooms, unpack, find the bathroom, get ready and sing with confidence while doing it?

I admit. Sometimes, temptation to feel lonely tries to slip in. But I have found five ways to conquer it:

  1. In the hotel room of loneliness, the Holy Spirit is the concierge to meet all our needs.

  2. His presence is certain.

  3. His protection is constant.

  4. His companionship is sweet

  5. His comfort is forever.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16).

Father, sometimes even when surrounded with people, the loneliness is cruel. But thank you for filling the void. For bringing reassurance to every moment. For whispering protection and provision. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit, for we know you’re present now, and you’ll be present in the happenings of our tomorrows. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Be sure to visit Janet’s website to read the rest of the blog.  Five promises to erase loneliness. | Janet Perez Eckles

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The best recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. | Janet Perez Eckles

24 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

My friend stopped by the other day and rumbled in her purse. “You have to see the pictures I took during our trip,” she said. I smiled. “Oops,” she added, “I always forget you…well…that you can’t see.”

“I forget myself,” I said with a chuckle. (I like folks with a sense of humor.) For me, having no sight is a way of life…actually a wonderfully blessed life. My days sweep by with gratitude, so much thankfulness. And for that reason I thought I’d share my unique recipe for this Thanks giving dinner. I don’t mind if you copy it and serve it to your loved ones.

  • Gather the ingredients stored in the cabinet of God’s Word.
  • Stir together large portions of His promises, spoonful’s of His direction, and dashes of His admonitions.
  • Place in large bowl several cups of commitment to read His Word.
  • Add generous amounts of faith to cover all traces of doubt.
  • Blend together, adding sprinkles of laughter, of enjoyment, fun, and unexpected surprises.
  • Bake in the oven of your heart till triumph is golden brown.

 

With songs of thanksgiving playing in the background, present it to the guests who come into your life. And unlike the rest of the world, instead of entering the doors to stress, gloom or anxiety for the days to come, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Why? “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

It’s your turn, can you share some things you’ll be giving thanks for this year? Would love, love to read them. You can send them to me via comment. Did you know most of my writings are drawn from my bestselling book, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta? Did you get your own copy yet? It’s available HERE.

Be sure to read the rest of the story:  The best recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. | Janet Perez Eckles

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That’s not fair. | Janet Perez Eckles

14 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

That’s not fair! With wrinkled tissue in hand, we stomp our feet in frustration. We had asked, prayed and pleaded. But, to our utter disappointment, God still said “No.”

Have you been there? God didn’t smile at us with the answer we wanted. But that’ not the worst. We look around and what do we see? We see those who don’t follow God’s instructions, don’t know God’s Word, and don’t even attend church. But, they seemingly live happy, trouble-free lives.

“What’s with that, God?” we want to ask.

Confusion adds to the unfairness. But not to worry. We don’t have to know how to express that bewilderment. David did that for us: “I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!” (Psalm 73:2-7 The Message).

Like David, I don’t let up my rant. This is not the way it should be. Why do they have it so good? Lord, after all, I’m not a bad chica. I really deserve better. But “Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever” (Psalm 73:21-26).

 

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Three secrets to get a good night’s sleep. | Janet Perez Eckles

17 Oct

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Turken

Naked Neck Chicken (Turken)

“Wait a minute,” I said, “let me put on some lipstick before you shoot that video.”

Why can’t I toss vanity out the window? But dare I say that we all have a trace of that from time to time, don’t we?

Some of us are way too conscious. We dress well to look sharp, dress up so we look great, wear black to look thin, fix the hair so we look young, and dress down to look cool.

And beyond how we look, we strive to do what might be impressive. We try hard to reach the top, get busy doing good stuff or even go places to rave about what we did.

Those efforts aren’t bad, unless they rule our lives. Or unless they stir electric signals to the brain, keeping it awake when it should be resting.

Jan-TurkenThis past Saturday, at the Access Life event for individuals and their families living with disabilities, a sort of strange animal taught me a big lesson about total trust and rest. I got to hold a “turken” or naked neck chicken. This peaceful little creature is half turkey and half chicken. The body of a chicken, the neck of a turkey and the head of a chicken. Since I’m not able to “see” it, I imagine it to be a sort of ugly creature.

But does it even show concern about its looks? You tell me. As I held it, it fell asleep. It had no clue a blind woman was holding it. It didn’t care how it looked, what appearance it displayed or even care about who took its picture. It showed no worry about others staring at her.

Why can’t we be like that? Why can’t we rest in peace just the way we are—with failures that might be known. With flaws that stand out. With weaknesses that are evident, or things left undone? And in face of it all, we, dare to live in complete trust. In total peace. And undisturbed confidence, the kind of confidence that we too fall asleep in God’s arms.

But we can. And here are three steps to enjoy sweet sleep in those long nights:

Visit Janet’s website to read more:  Three secrets to get a good night’s sleep. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Five promises to keep you safe and secure. | Janet Perez Eckles

15 Aug

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“Well I did something kind of interesting,” my friend said.

I was all ears because this is a friend whom I truly admire.

“I went target shooting,” she said.

I gasped. “Shooting? Like with a gun?”

“Yep.”

I learned that many women are taking that measure for safety. And thinking that was a good idea, I asked, “Can I go with you next time?

She laughed. And I did, too, when I realized that blind people might not have the best aim.

That night, I wondered about my protection, and that of my family. Like everyone else, I need to feel safe, secure and protected from intruders, thieves and the evil that lurks around. Unable to handle a gun, how could I manage that?

God was quick to give me the answer. Actually in Psalm 121, He gives us all the same answer. It’s found in these five promises to feel safe, confident and secure no matter where we are:

via Five promises to keep you safe and secure. | Janet Perez Eckles.

 

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Five ways to bring balance to your life.

28 Mar

So many times “if only” is a lament. Janet shares the promise of God’s “if”

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